The Lutheran Hour
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"Would You Like To See Jesus?"
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Text: Luke 19:1-10
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PRAYER: Almighty God, Your Word went out at the creation and created the whole world and all that is in it. And now, Your Word goes out again, creates again, re-creates, brings hope and life to many people who have no hope. Touch them, give them courage, strengthen them, forgive them through the blood of Your Son Jesus Christ. Give them a hope that is eternal. In Jesus name we pray. AMEN.
Last year, the Harvard University Press published a book titled: “LENIN.” Authored by Robert Service, a professor at Cambridge University, this book is the latest analysis of Lenin, the man who masterminded the establishment of the Communist government in Russia, commonly known as the “Soviet Union.”
In his early years, Lenin was not very well known. Suddenly, however, after he masterminded the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, and, after being interviewed by H. G. Wells and Betrand Russel, Lenin became in Professor Service’s words, “. . .the object of the world’s fascination!” Everybody wanted to see Lenin! Again in Professor Service’s own words, “Excitement at the possibility of glimpsing Lenin was mounting” not only in Russia, but also in other countries. Everybody wanted to see this man.
World politicians grasped at any opportunity to meet or at least get a glimpse at Lenin simply because he now had power. But the common man, the poor man in the street, also wanted to meet Lenin because, you see, Lenin promised everybody, especially the poor, better living conditions and land plus many other exciting new opportunities. Now, nearly a century later, as we look back on Lenin, we see a hardcore revolutionary who promised so much at the beginning, but ended up being such a bloody murderer of millions.
At the same time, however, we think about another man. This second character of history, thousands also clamored to see. This man, one who promised help to the poor, actually delivered on that promise. Here also was a man who had power but not the political kind; a man who did not murder anyone, but who, himself, was murdered. Of course, this man is Jesus.
Listen to this description from the Bible as it explains how excited people were when Jesus came to their community. Notice what one man did in order to get a glimpse of Jesus. Without changing the meaning, I’m going to re-tell the story in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 19.
One day, the Bible says Jesus was passing through the village of Jericho. And behold, in Jericho there was a man named Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a tax collector, and not just any type of tax collector. Zacchaeus was a ‘chief’ tax collector. Therefore, he was intensely hated.
Even though Zacchaeus probably had most of the good things of life of that day, he obviously also heard about Jesus. Surely, he had heard about this man who caused the blind to see and the lame to walk. Consequently, Zacchaeus looked for an opportunity, if not to touch Jesus, at least to see Him.
Now the Bible tells us Zacchaeus was very short in stature. And, because he was so short, he could not see over the crowds. Consequently, Zacchaeus had a plan. The Bible tells us Zacchaeus ran on ahead of the crowd and climbed up into a sycamore tree so he could get a good view of Jesus as He passed by.
Now, up to this point everything was going pretty much as Zacchaeus planned. But then, the Bible says, there came a surprise. When Jesus was directly underneath this sycamore tree, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”
Wow! Can you imagine how these words of Jesus must have shocked Zacchaeus? He was not a religious man. He didn’t ever expect Jesus to notice him, or much less speak to him, or even less to want to eat with him. Nevertheless, Zacchaeus did not hesitate. Immediately, this chief tax collector “hurried and came down” out of the sycamore tree. The Bible says, Jesus “received Him gladly.”
According to the Bible, when the crowd saw what was happening they “all began to grumble.” “What’s going on,” they said. “This man Jesus is going to be eating with an outright well known sinner!” This is horrible, and down right disgusting. Many must have surely thought this way!
Now, of course, Zacchaeus heard all the grumbling. He knew, at least in the eyes of the local people, he was considered an outright, ungodly, no good piece of trash. You might say Zacchaeus began to panic a little. Maybe if Jesus found out who he really was, he might not want to associate with him. So, the Bible says, Zacchaeus said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord. Half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” Zacchaeus openly, publicly, and sincerely acknowledged his sin.
Sensing the integrity of the confession, Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Now Zacchaeus knew very well, according to the religious standards of the culture of that day, he had absolutely no hope. He was not only a sinner, but the worst of sinners or, shall we say, a “chief” sinner!
Now, let me explain this just a little bit more. You see, on behalf of the government of that day, Zacchaeus collected taxes from the local people. One Bible scholar says in Jesus’ day tax collectors were notoriously dishonest. There were many “bad” things you could have been in those days, but no one was worse than a tax collector. And now, to complicate matters for Zacchaeus, he was a “chief” tax collector, one who oversaw many other collectors. Of course, to make things a bit more relevant for us today, who has not heard horror stories of the IRS in our own newspaper or Revenue Canada. True or not, these news stories often allege actions that are down right dishonest!
This was Zacchaeus-a man who was terribly despised. But this is also why Zacchaeus is such good news for you. If Zacchaeus could be loved and forgiven by Jesus then so can you. And, if Jesus wanted to spend time with Zacchaeus, then Jesus wants to spend time with you, no matter who you are and no matter what you have done. This is God’s Gospel. A message of love with no conditions, no strings attached, and woe unto those who try to discredit all those who Christ qualifies by His mercy. The Bible asks: “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?” The Bible answers: “It is God. He is the One who justifies.”
The only thing Jesus requires of you is what He also expected of Zacchaeus: simply that he was willing to confess his sin and to turn to Jesus for pardon. This ability to repent and confess is not your own ability. Godly repentance and saving faith is a result only of God’s Living Word working within you. God is both calling you and enabling you to come to Him in repentance and also to receive His free forgiveness. Listen again to Zacchaeus’ penitent resolve: “Lord,” Zacchaeus said, “half of all my goods, I give to the poor.” One Bible scholar explains it this way: this was a general restitution of money or property fraudulently acquired. “And if I have taken anything from any man,” Zacchaeus said, “by false accusation, I will restore him fourfold.” Jesus recognized the sincerity of this proposal, voluntarily and sincerely made. Here was a truly penitent and believing heart. Therefore, Jesus said to Zacchaeus: “This day, has salvation come to this house.”
Oh, what an encouragement this story of Zacchaeus is for all of us. You and I may convince ourselves that we are better than our neighbor; but in God’s eyes we have fallen far short of what God expects of us. Each of us needs to confess with St. Paul “the good we would like to do we do not do; and that which we should not do, we often end up doing.” The Apostle Paul then says, “Oh, wretched man that I am, who will set me free from this body of this death? Thanks be to God and our Lord Jesus Christ!” St. Paul knew that only through the sin cleansing blood of Jesus was there any hope of forgiveness. Yes, for St. Paul, Jesus was his hope, his life and his eternal destiny.
And, what Jesus gave to Zacchaeus and what Jesus did for St. Paul, Jesus will do for you. You see, Jesus’ life-giving words of invitation had caused a spiritually sinful and dead Zacchaeus to be brought back to life. Jesus’ words can do the same for you. Jesus says, “My Words are Spirit and they are life” (John 6:63).
So, the lesson from God’s Word today is clear. As you consider Jesus, or God, or religion, or even spirituality, don’t look to the right or to the left. Instead, look into your own heart. Confess with the psalmist, “I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 73:21). Yes, say today to the Lord, “Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight” (Psalm 51:4).
Lusting after money on Wall Street, failing to forgive a family member, being unconcerned about praying for your nation, for missions, or for the leaders of your country-these are serious sins. Constantly whining and complaining, endlessly expressing no thanks for the many blessings God has given you, secretly buying lottery tickets, telling off-color jokes, not having family devotions; these are all serious sins. And, when we add up all our shortcomings, we find that we are probably not only as bad but far worse, in God’s eyes, than Zacchaeus was.
Yet, God, in the Lord Jesus Christ, is looking straight at you just as He looked at Zacchaeus in the sycamore tree. Come down, my friend, come down. Yes, God is now calling you to come down out of your tree of self-righteousness. Confess to your Lord that you are sorry you have not been what He desires you to be. And then, with great joy, accept the forgiveness God is offering you today in Jesus Christ. Today, my friend, Jesus is saying to you. “Today, salvation has come into your heart!”
Remember a moment ago I mentioned that in 1917, when Lenin came to power in Russia, not only world leaders, but also the common man wanted to meet Lenin, or, at least get a “glimpse” of him. Well, many in that day heard what Lenin had promised. History, however, demonstrates Lenin’s promises were an empty deception; a trick designed to enslave people into atheistic utopian socialism.
On the other hand, the Bible says people also wanted to meet Jesus. Jesus promised and He did not deceive. He delivered His blessings He promised. Jesus did not trick people in order to enslave them. Instead, Jesus brings people into His Kingdom where they are liberated. Jesus is indeed the One Isaiah, whom the prophet was talking about when he said Jesus would “bring Good News to the afflicted.” He would “bind up the brokenhearted.” He would “proclaim liberty to the captives,” and Jesus would “set prisoners free.”
Jesus not only promised in the past, Jesus is still promising today: love without conditions; mercy without interrogation; pardon without a price; and total forgiveness with no strings attached.
My friends, today salvation has come to your heart. Come down, come down, out of your tree of pride and arrogance. Confess your sins. Jesus wants to come into your life and abide with you forever. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for May 6, 2001 “Would You Like To See Jesus?” 68-35
ANNOUNCER: I’m Mark Eischer. I am talking with Dr. Schulz this month. Dr. Schulz, in today’s message, you said that Zacchaeus was despised by the people of his day because they thought he would not qualify for God’s love or forgiveness. You mentioned also this attitude is still a problem today, even in the church. What did you mean by that?
SCHULZ: Well, not long ago a lady wrote us explaining how some of her own acquaintances constantly accuse her of being unworthy to be a Christian or even to by loved by God. Now, this is not unusual, as some of us know. There are always those in every society who want to sort of “run the store” for the Lord, as we say. They want to set up all the requirements, establish all the rules as to who does and who does not qualify as a Christian.
ANNOUNCER: And why does this happen within the church?
SCHULZ: Well, this happens primarily because some who call themselves Christians fail to understand what the Bible is all about, or shall I say what the central message of the Bible really is.
ANNOUNCER: Well, maybe you can explain that for us.
SCHULZ: Well, the section I always use is the section where Jesus said to the Pharisees: You guys are always searching and searching and reading the Bible, searching the Scriptures, you are trying to find rules to live by in order to please God. But then Jesus said: Surprise! The center of the Bible is not rules to live by, but the central message of the Bible is Me, Jesus Christ, the Good News of God’s Gospel. And, this Good News is the unconditional forgiveness of God the Father through the blood of the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
ANNOUNCER: I have heard it said the Old Testament contains the Law and the New Testament contains the Gospel.
SCHULZ: Well, this may be what is said out there. This is not reality, however. For example, if you read Psalm 103 in the Old Testament, you read these words, “God has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Now, I would say that is real clear Gospel. “For as high as the heavens are from the earth so great is God’s loving kindness to those who fear Him.” The psalmist then continues, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us.” And then the psalmist adds these words, “Just as a father has compassion on His children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.” Now, again, this is surely God’s Gospel and it is taken directly from the Old Testament.
ANNOUNCER: Now, you would think the scribes and Pharisees would have known that.
SCHULZ: That is what I would say, too. They should have known this, but they didn’t. This is why the Apostle Paul in his introduction to the book of Romans talks about the Gospel of God and he says, “A Gospel, which He promised, God promised beforehand through His Prophets in the Holy Scriptures.” This, of course, was the Old Testament.
ANNOUNCER: Well, it is certainly disappointing that people continue to misunderstand the Bible, even in our day.
SCHULZ: Mark, I would call it more than a disappointment. I would say it is a terrible tragedy. You know, there are some clergymen, not many, but some who get into the pulpit quite regularly and rant and rave about how we want to please God, how we live, and how we follow this rule and that law, and this and that. The fact is, we cannot live up to all of God’s laws and it is precisely because of our failures that God has mercy on all of us in Jesus Christ. Of course, through His Gospel, God not only forgives us but He also empowers us to live a new life, demonstrating our love to Him and also our love to our neighbor.
ANNOUNCER: What is the bottom line?
SCHULZ: Well, the bottom line is simply this. Just as in Zacchaeus’ day, so also today there are those who want to exclude other people from the Christian faith. These modern day heresies are totally wrong. We don’t establish the standards or the requirements. The Lord in His mercy and grace has made His Gospel very simple. “He that believes and is baptized” the Lord says, “he shall be saved.”
ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Dr. Schulz. That brings us the end of our broadcast for another week.